Florida State fell 43-35 to No. 3 Miami in double overtime Saturday night, coming up short despite one of its strongest performances of the season.
Following the loss, head coach Mike Norvell expressed his frustration with the ending while recognizing the effort his team showed throughout the rivalry matchup.
“We had opportunities, but those guys competed to the very end, and for the ending to be like that, just sick,” Norvell said
The Seminoles had an opportunity to tie the game in the second overtime, but a 36-yard completion was called back due to a holding penalty. On the following play, a pass intended for Duce Robinson was ruled an interception, with the call standing after review.
Norvell addressed both calls following the game, questioning the explanation surrounding the final play.
“You don’t get a whole lot of explanation,” Norvell said. “I watched the replay. I mean, like in the start of football, it’s a tie, it goes to receiver. But I guess they had a different angle that you could see something different.”
After watching the replay, Norvell suggested the officials may have had a different view of the interception.
“But I guess they had a different angle that uh that you could see something different,” Norvell said.
Norvell also addressed the holding penalty on the previous play, which he said was called on No. 77.
Despite the ending, Norvell praised Robinson’s performance. The receiver connected with quarterback Ashton Daniels for a 75-yard touchdown to tie the game at 28-28 late in regulation before adding a 20-yard touchdown in overtime.
“The last play was a hell of a play that he made,” Norvell said about Robinson. “Didn’t go our way. But for him to do that, it was really, really special.”
Although FSU showed it could compete with one of the nation’s top-ranked teams, Daniels acknowledged the frustration of another close loss.
“It hurts so bad,” Daniels said.
He also emphasized that the Seminoles still have work to do when it comes to finishing games.
“We can really play with anyone in the country, but we just can’t get the job done. We can’t finish um and we can’t execute,” Daniels said.
The Seminoles also faced a difficult moment late in the first half when running back Ousmane Kromah was carted off the field following an injury.
Norvell discussed his conversation with Kromah on the field and the support he received from his teammates.
“I just told him, ‘Look at me.’ I said, ‘Everything’s gonna be okay.‘” Norvell said.
Although Florida State was unable to pull off the upset, Norvell emphasized that the team showed the fight and passion he had asked for throughout the week.
“I wanted to see their heart. I wanted to see their fight. I want to see the passion. I want to see the love they had for each other love for playing this game,” Norvell said.
With the Seminoles entering their bye week, Daniels emphasized that the team remains focused on improving.
“You know the season’s not over,” Daniels said. “We’re going to come in next week you know bye week. We’re going to get better.”
Video via Warchant